Shows
The ChairPAKISTAN INDIA RELATIONS - AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. YASIR MASOODBy Dr. Digby James WrenIn the wake of the Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, a targeted military strike against alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Pakistan itself. The operation, described by Indian officials as “focused and non-escalatory,” aimed at camps linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, notably in Bahawalpur and Mudrike. Pakistan condemned the strikes as aggression, reporting civilian casualties and retaliating by downing Indian aircraft. The incident underscores the perennial volatility of Kashmir, a region both nuclear-armed nations have contested since 1947. While the immediate conflict highlights Indo-Pak...2025-05-0926 min
The ChairPartnerships, not pressure: what China offers where the West hesitatesPartnerships, not pressure: what China offers where the West hesitatesThree countries, one tour, and a clear message from Beijing- President Xi Jinping touched down in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia this week, marking one of his most strategic Southeast Asian tours in years. What's behind the charm offensive? While the U.S. is fueling global confusion and frustration with its tariff war, China and its Southeast Asian partners are trying to inject cooperation and stability into global growth. What does the whirlwind visit mean for China, Southeast Asia, and the world?Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Zha...2025-04-2255 min
Chat LoungePartnerships, not pressure: what China offers where the West hesitatesThree countries, one tour, and a clear message from Beijing- President Xi Jinping touched down in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia this week, marking one of his most strategic Southeast Asian tours in years. What's behind the charm offensive? While the U.S. is fueling global confusion and frustration with its tariff war, China and its Southeast Asian partners are trying to inject cooperation and stability into global growth. What does the whirlwind visit mean for China, Southeast Asia, and the world?Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Zha Daojiong, Professor of International Political Economy, School of International Studies...2025-04-1955 min
The ChairTariffs or Diplomacy: Will they divide the world?Tariffs or Diplomacy: Will they divide the world?On April 9, 2025, a titanic 145% U.S. tariff on Chinese imports ignited Beijing's swift 125% retaliation. This move has created a cacophony of concerns. Featured contributor Dr. Yasir Masood engaged in a digital dialogue with Mike Billington, a renowned American geopolitical analyst, to unpack this high-stakes clash and its global fallout.Editor's note: CGTN's First Voice provides instant commentary on breaking stories. The column clarifies emerging issues and better defines the news agenda, offering a Chinese perspective on the latest global events.Yasir Masood: On...2025-04-1801 min
ASEAN ChairCould Trump’s Tariffs Turn Global Trade Topsy-TurvyFeatured Contributor Dr. Yasir Masood explores the Global Power Shift:From Unipolar Dominance to Multipolar Adaptation with Professor Michael Dunford of the University of Sussex The global order is transitioning away from a unipolar system dominated by a single superpower, signalling a disruptive but transformative shift toward a more multipolar world. While the United States continues to leverage its financial and trade influence, the international system is evolving into one that prioritises equitable development, challenging historical patterns of inequality. Historically, the global framework perpetuated significant disparities, with few exceptions such as China, which...2025-04-1300 min
ASEAN ChairUS Cannibalisation of Allies and PartnersThe Cannibalisation of allies and partners by the Trump administration highlights the increasing importance of China and its stabilising role for both the world economy and multilateralism.In the period from 1945, the US dominated global manufacturing with over 50% of the world’s total output.The US domination was manifest in its preponderant military and industrial complex,but it also began to decline almost immediately as the US attempted to subordinate the world economy and political activities to its own global vision of hegemony.And then there was the 1949 communist revolution and th...2025-04-0519 min
The ChairCatastrophic CollapsePresident Donald Trump’s second term in office has demonstrated his mastery of modern media, but also the weaknesses of being surrounded by ‘Yes’ men and women in his cabinet choices and administration generally.Moreover, his nostalgia for late 19th century American tariff regimes, the Monroe Doctrine and American Imperialism is based on the false assumption that such policies can work in a post-globalisation phase for the world economy. An overview of how the alley and partner hegemony of the US is and was financed and prosecuted also exposes the inherent flaws in late empire and th...2025-04-0327 min
The ChairCan Boao Forum turn Asia's ambition into armour?By Yasir Masood (CGTN)Editor's note: CGTN's First Voice provides instant commentary on breaking stories. The column clarifies emerging issues and better defines the news agenda, offering a Chinese perspective on the latest global events.Asia's push to lead in green and digital innovation faces fractured supply chains and geopolitical divides. Can ambition outpace division? The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 tackles these challenges head-on, with Australian strategist Dr. Digby James Wren charting a path forward: turn dialogue into infrastructure, scale China's innovation engine and unlock financing for AI and green tech.2025-03-2906 min
ASEAN Chair2025 Australian Election Update(00:00:15):Welcome to The Chair.(00:00:16):I'm your host, Dr. Vicky James Wren.(00:00:18):And today we're having a quick look at the Australian election and our Labor's(00:00:21):leading in the polls by about 10 points.(00:00:25):But what that really means is if they lose five, it's going to be 50-50.(00:00:27):So 45 to 55 for Labor.(00:00:28):Now, Australia is in trouble.(00:00:36):the economy is going to have and look the imf said this quite...2025-03-2611 min
The ChairJourney Through Chinese Fine Arts: Ep 01 Khmer DubA Journey Through Chinese Fine Arts History, Periods, Materials, and MasterpiecesSource: https://chat.deepseek.com (prompt: write a short article on the history of Chinese fine arts)Chinese fine arts, with a history spanning over 5,000 years, represent one of the world's most enduring and sophisticated artistic traditions. Rooted in philosophy, religion, and imperial patronage, Chinese art reflects the country's cultural evolution, technological advancements, and aesthetic ideals. This article explores the major periods, materials, notable names, and finest examples of Chinese fine arts, highlighting the emperors and dynasties that shaped this rich heritage.2025-01-2820 min
The China History PodcastEp. 358 | The History of Singapore (Part 10)First of all, to all of you who lasted through the entire series up to this concluding episode, I extend to you, my deepest appreciation. I hope you learned a few things about Singapore. Here it is, the final installment of the series. I worked on this particular episode during my Oct-Nov China-HK-Cambodia trip. I recorded this one in Phnom Penh at the home studio of Dr. Digby James Wren. Digby's a long-time CHP listener and I gave him a ring when I hit town. Fortunately, he was in PP and generously spent a couple of days...2025-01-1947 min
ASEAN ChairBlacklist: Biden unleashes sanctions on China. The Chair Live Episode 9The Biden neo-cons are attempting to trap Trump in sanctions, weapons and loans to Gaza and Ukraine. A deep dive into the implications for G7 leaders as they drop like flies from the political fallout.The rapid turnover of G7 leaders has become a farce. Economic turmoil, a major change in global industrial investment and a river of US sanctions and the Team Trump tariff avalanche expected this year provide the bulk of today’s episode.A quick update on ASEAN and Cambodia FDI and the outlook for Trump tariffs on the world’s largest trad...2025-01-1826 min
The ChairBlacklist: Biden unleashes sanctions on China. The Chair Live Episode 9The rapid turnover of G7 leaders has become a farce. Economic turmoil, a major change in global industrial investment and a river of US sanctions and the Team Trump tariff avalanche expected this year provide the bulk of today’s episode.A quick update on ASEAN and Cambodia FDI and the outlook for Trump tariffs on the world’s largest trade partnership between China and ASEAN.Australia’s sustainability transition is highly dependent on China’s EVs, but so is the UK and many are countries. Like, subscribe and share…https://www.patreo...2025-01-1526 min
ASEAN ChairThe Chair Episode 8Belt and Road updateIn this episode we cover Cambodia's Techo Funan Canal and China's involvement and investment attitude as well as a update on risks to the Belt and Road in West Asia, Red Sea, Mediterranean and Africa.Check out my Multipolar Peace friends on YouTube below.https://teacup.media/chinahistorypodcastTranscript Get full access to ASEAN Chair at aseanchair.substack.com/subscribe2024-12-1829 min
The ChairThe Chair Episode 8Belt and Road updateIn this episode we cover Cambodia's Techo Funan Canal and China's involvement and investment attitude as well as a update on risks to the Belt and Road in West Asia, Red Sea, Mediterranean and Africa.Check out my Multipolar Peace friends on YouTube below.Transcript(00:00:00):welcome to the chair i'm your host dr digby james wren today is friday the 13th of(00:00:06):december 2024 a most auspicious date to end my hiatus for the last two months and(00:00:15):...2024-12-1529 min
World TodayPanel: What's known about Trump's cabinet picks so far?Donald Trump has swiftly named a flurry of key Cabinet positions for his second administration. He's chosen Florida senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, Fox News host Pete Hegseth as pentagon chief, and billionaire hedge fund manager Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary.However, some of his chosen candidates might not face an easy path toward Senate confirmation. Former U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz, Trump's initial choice for Attorney General, even withdrew from consideration after sex trafficking and drug use allegations threatened to imperil his confirmation.What are the controversies surrounding Trump's picks? How do...2024-11-2952 min
The ChairASEAN Summit Insights(00:00:00): Guest Intro:Dr. Digby Wren, geopolitical risk analyst and policy advisor at Belt and Road Capital Partners.Li Qiang saying, [South China Sea situation] it just needs to be more understanding right now. Do you see some sort of off ramp to these tensions that continue to escalate? Or are we actually seeing some sort of imminent armed conflict with China?See Transcript link:Added Comments to those in the original interview: ASEAN is attractive to EU and US investment and trade, but the “jostling” in the South China Sea...2024-10-1305 min
ASEAN ChairMultipolar Peace NOW ! Part 2/2We are forming a global alliance against globalism, and neutrality studies is part of that. Don't get confused, let's just live with the contradiction.Last Friday we held the second panel of independent social media contributors, discussing the new multipolarity we are now in, why we think that the collective west is being collectively stupid about it, and what we—and you—can do to oppose the lunacy.The Basics:* Multipolarity is not only an emerging reality, it is also a preferable foundation for global order.* Neutrality is an important tool with...2024-07-191h 01
ASEAN ChairMultipolar Peace NOW ! Part 2/1We are forming a global alliance against globalism, and neutrality studies is part of that. Don't get confused, let's just live with the contradiction.Last Friday we held the second panel of independent social media contributors, discussing the new multipolarity we are now in, why we think that the collective west is being collectively stupid about it, and what we—and you—can do to oppose the lunacy.The Basics:* Multipolarity is not only an emerging reality, it is also a preferable foundation for global order.* Neutrality is an important tool with...2024-07-1857 min
The ChairMultipolar Peace NOW ! Part 2/1Multipolar Peace Now ! Part 2:1We are forming a global alliance against globalism, and neutrality studies is part of that. Don't get confused, let's just live with the contradiction.Last Friday we held the second panel of independent social media contributors, discussing the new multipolarity we are now in, why we think that the collective west is being collectively stupid about it, and what we—and you—can do to oppose the lunacy.The Basics:* Multipolarity is not only an emerging reality, it is also a preferable foundation for global order....2024-07-1757 min
The ChairMultipolar Peace NOW ! Part 2/2Multipolar Peace Now ! Part 2:2 We are forming a global alliance against globalism, and neutrality studies is part of that. Don't get confused, let's just live with the contradiction.Last Friday we held the second panel of independent social media contributors, discussing the new multipolarity we are now in, why we think that the collective west is being collectively stupid about it, and what we—and you—can do to oppose the lunacy.The Basics:* Multipolarity is not only an emerging reality, it is also a preferable foundation for global order.* Neutrality is a...2024-07-171h 01
The ChairComments on Trump Assassination Attempt(00:00:00):Well, thank you for having me on the show again.(00:00:01):Well,(00:00:02):the first thing to say,(00:00:03):I think,(00:00:03):is that political assassination is not a new thing in the United States.(00:00:06):There's a long history of this.(00:00:07):I'm not sure how many presidents have been assassinated, but there's been at least(00:00:29):at least seven or eight attempts on presidents.(00:00:33):So it's nothing new.(00:00:34):2024-07-1502 min
ASEAN ChairNATO No No No!Good morning,Today is Wednesday the 10th of July 2024 and today we're going to explore the NATO Summit that's being held in Washington today and tomorrow. And, I think we're going to start with an article written by the the former Singapore ambassador to the United Nations, Kishore Mahbubani, who was actually appointed twice as Singapore’s UN ambassador.Now, he's a very, very well-respected figure, and he wrote in 2021 that...“that the Pacific has no need of the destructive militaristic culture of the Atlantic Alliance.”Now, what was he tal...2024-07-1448 min
The ChairPanel: Does Asia Pacific welcome NATO’s footprint?NATO is boosting its visibility in the Asia Pacific region. For three years in a row, leaders or representatives of four Asia Pacific countries – Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand – have attended the annual summit of the military alliance. The outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has been an ardent advocator of Asia Pacific outreach, and his argument has been echoed by US officials as Washington, DC hosted this year’s NATO summit.What is behind NATO’s growing interest in Asia Pacific? Will NATO be a force for good if it establishes a sizeable footprint in the region? Host Din...2024-07-1353 min
The ChairNATO No No No!The United States wants NATO to be dragged in to Asia.Today is Wednesday the 10th of July 2024 and today we're going to explore the NATO Summit that's being held in Washington today and tomorrow. And, I think we're going to start with an article written by the the former Singapore ambassador to the United Nations, Kishore Mahbubani, who was actually appointed twice as Singapore’s UN ambassador. Now, he's a very, very well-respected figure, and he wrote in 2021 that...“that the Pacific has no need of the destructive militaristic culture of the Atlantic Alliance.”N...2024-07-1148 min
Chat LoungeChina and ASEAN look to tighten cooperation amid uncertaintiesChina and ASEAN are set to upgrade their economic and trade relations amid global uncertainties. What are the key sectors where they can further unleash the potential for cooperation? How can they withstand external noise or interference?Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Digby James Wren, Senior Special Advisor and Director of the Mekong Research Center at the International Relations Institute Royal Academy of Cambodia, Professor Dai Yonghong, Dean of College of International Studies and Institute of Area and International Communication, Shenzhen University, and Herman Laurel, Founder of the Philippine BRICS Strategic Studies Group on this episode of...2023-09-0855 minChat LoungeThe damage to the world from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water releaseJapan is making the ocean a dumping place for its contaminated radioactive water. What ripple effects are awaiting us in the years or decades to come? The move goes against a bunch of international conventions. How come Japan can proceed without any opposition from Western governments that seem to have been so concerned about the environment?Host Tu Yun joins Michael Woo, Life Honorary President, Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce, Mario Cavolo, CEO of M Communications Group, and Senior Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization；and Dr. Digby James Wren, Senior Special Advisor an...2023-09-0155 min